Stepping back to make time for community involvement
As a busy PR professional it can be really easy to get wrapped up in your own professional and personal obligations. We are so busy planning events, chasing the “big hit,” and trying to stay on the bleeding edge of a lightening fast industry—not to mention raise families and maintain friendships—that months, or even years can go by without noticing that you haven’t made much time for those who are less fortunate.
I will admit to being one of those busy PR professionals as of late, which is why I am extremely grateful for the community awareness GroundFloor Media has reenergized in me personally. For example, last week we got to spend time with a group of brave and strong young women that GFM sponsored for an Outward Bound Urban Adventure program. Our agency sponsored the girls so they could spend two days backpacking around Denver and participating in both team building and community service projects. They finished their adventure by coming to our office for lunch from Qdoba and participating in a round table discussion of challenges and successes in life, as well as the importance of finding a mentor and volunteering in the community.
The Outward Bound Urban Adventure group enjoys lunch at GroundFloor Media's offices
The short time I spent listening to and talking with the girls, who ranged in age from 12-18, was powerful for me because I realized that each of them were at a real tipping point when it comes to community service. The longer you wait to get involved, the busier you get, and the easier it becomes to make various excuses—I have too much homework, work is too hectic, or my weekends are for my family. I wanted to share this personal realization with the hope that it might motivate even one more busy PR professional to step away from it all for just a few hours each month in order to lend a hand in the community.
I have a passion for the elderly and so I am getting ready to begin my Denver nonprofit journey by donating my time to Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime organization. While I couldn’t be more excited, I can also fully understand how hard it is to find the time to take a first step towards better community involvement. At GFM I am also lucky enough to be surrounded by team members who dedicate countless hours to various organizations and have fantastic, real-world advice for how to get started here in Denver. What’s the GFM consensus? Take advantage of at least one of the many leadership programs in town to meet other community-conscious professionals and get inspired to give back along the way.
A few examples of leadership programs that GFM employees have either graduated from or are participating in now include:
- Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program
- Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
- CBCA Leadership Arts
- Leadership Boulder County
~Alexis Anzalone
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